From Wednesday 20 November 2024, employers will need to confirm that staff involved in recruitment decisions for Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders have completed Employment New Zealand learning modules and paid time has been given to migrant workers to complete these. However, to make it simpler and quicker for them, they no longer need to provide further evidence with their application to renew their accreditation. Where we have concerns, we may ask for further evidence.

Improving processing times across the AEWV scheme continues to be a priority for us.

We have been working hard to make more timely visa decisions. We have reduced the number of applications in progress and have been making more visa decisions. We decided 73% more Accredited Employer Work Visa applications, 57% more Job Check applications and 25% more employer accreditation applications in October than September.

Since September 2024, the number of AEWV applications in progress (excluding applications to extend a current AEWV to the maximum period allowed) has decreased by 51% and is now the lowest since September 2022. The number of employer accreditation applications in progress has decreased by 41% and the number of Job Check applications has decreased by 28%.

Allocation priorities for Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

Further changes are being considered as part of the next stage of the review into the AEWV scheme, including removing the requirement to provide an employment agreement with a Job Check application and to complete Employment New Zealand modules.

Include all the required information

Incomplete applications continue to be a significant factor in longer processing times. All of the required information must be submitted with your application to help prevent delays. Incomplete applications may be declined.

Apply for AEWV accreditation

Financial evidence for your accreditation application

How to apply for a Job Check

Accredited Employer Work Visa